Five Americans who could be available when the Avalanche picks at No. 23

In previous posts[1] I’ve written that the Avalanche will consider power forward Brendan Lemieux, the Denver-born son of former Avs forward Claude Lemieux, for the 23rd pick in the first round of the NHL draft June 27 in Philadelphia. So who else is on the Avs’ radar at No. 23, assuming they don’t trade the pick?

Based on Colorado’s needs, player profiles, Central Scouting rankings and mock drafts from TSN and NHL.com folks, I came up with the following five candidates, and they all just so happen to be American (completely coincidental) In alphabetical order:

D Anthony DeAngelo, 5-11, 175, Sewell, N.J., Central Scouting Service ranking (North American skaters only): 14 — The Tyson Barrie of the Sarnia Sting put up 71 points (15 goals) in 51 games, leading all OHL blue-liners, but was suspended twice for violating the league’s harassment/diversity rule, including the second time for eight games. So if you factor in his CSS ranking, character questions and goalies and Europeans skaters, he could be around at No. 23 and certainly qualify as “the best player available,” regardless of position.

F Sonny Milano, 5-11, 185, Massapequa, N.Y., CSS: 16 — The U.S. U18 standout with rare hands is heading to Boston College for a year or two, maybe three. He seems to be of the Joey Hishon mold, or even Matt Duchene. He is unlikely to still be on the board at No. 23 and the Avs probably aren’t thrilled with his size; they need to get bigger up front.

C Dylan Larkin, 6-1, 190, Waterford, Mich., CSS: 17 — His 17 goals in 26 games was second most among U.S. U18 players in USHL play, and he had 31 goals in 60 games overall. But Larkin did not typically play with the U18s top three scorers (Sonny Milano, Alex Tuch and underage Jack Eichel) at even strength. The Avs need more size up front, and Larkin, who is headed to the University of Michigan, looks like a good fit.

C Nick Schmaltz, 6-0, 172, Verona, Wis., CSS: 19 — Two of three NHL.com writers predicted he will go at No. 23. Schmaltz played for the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers, producing team-highs in assists (45) and points (63) in 55 games. He headed to North Dakota to play with his older brother Jordan, a 2012 first-round draft pick of the St. Louis Blues.

C/RW Alex Tuch, 6-3, 213, Syracuse, N.Y., CSS: 12 — Sonny Milano’s linemate with the U.S. U18 team is also heading to Boston College, and it’s debatable which American all-star will be drafted first. Unlike Milano, Tuch is all about the power game, with a wicked shot, and his size could make him a top-10 pick and quickly off the Avs’ rader. But he would be a steal at No. 23.